The 1960s were a time of considerable change and innovation in the world. From technological advancements to cultural revolutions, this decade left an enduring impact on society that is still felt today. For those who were kids and young adults during this era, many fond memories probably bring back a sense of nostalgia.
Millennials and Gen Z will never know what life was like pre-internet, but the generations that grew up in the ’60s had the pleasure of not having all their teenage mishaps recorded for the world to see. From the diverse cultural, social, and pop culture elements that shaped the decade, what do the ’60s kids miss the most? Let’s explore some iconic ’60s nostalgia.
1. Beatlemania
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Crazy fandom for pop stars and celebs didn’t start with Justin Beiber and Taylor Swift, the 60s kids had The Beatles. Many Baby Boomers and Gen X remember the Beatles’ debut with goosebumps and longing.
2. Motorbikes and Sidecars
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Sidecars were common additions to motorcycles back in the day. Most parents who owned motorcycles ferried children along in the sidecars, with or without helmets. What a fun joy ride.
3. The Space Race
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Few would forget the giant leap for mankind when Apollo 11 landed on the moon in July 1969. Those who loved following the world news will remember the intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve this significant milestone in space exploration.
4. Barbie Dolls
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Barbies have come full circle, complete with an award-winning movie. But did you know that the first Barbie came out in 1959? There are now various themed Barbie accessories and outfits, but the first Barbie wore a simple zebra-print swimsuit.
5. Drive-In Movies
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Fun in the 60s involved a lot of outdoor activities, including watching movies. Imagine watching movies under the stars (on the hood of your car or with the convertible top down) at an outdoor drive-in theatre. That was a normal Friday in the days gone by.
6. The Twist Dance Craze
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The dance scene keeps evolving; there’s always a new challenge in the socials and a new way to dance. The Twist was the energetic dance style of the 60s, popularized by Chubby Checker’s hit song “The Twist,” which is impossible not to try when the song comes on.
7. Mini Skirts and Go-Go Boots
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There’s nothing new under the sun when it comes to fashion. The mini-skirts and boots that are still a common sight among the young and hippy today were invented in the 60s.
8. Twiggy
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Talking of fashion, remember Twiggy? She was the iconic British model who epitomized the fashion trends of the 1960s with her unique look and style. Her bold make-up, cropped haircuts, and mini-dresses shaped the fashion trends of the 60s.
9. Talcum Powder
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Baby care wasn’t complete without a tub of talcum powder. Some people also used it for their faces as a beauty secret for sweaty palms and oily faces. Talcum powder has since been banned in some countries due to health concerns.
10. Transistor Radios
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These small, portable radios allowed people to tune in to their favorite music on the go. Although phones now have radios on them, having a radio that was just a radio and not a thousand other distracting things was a wonderful thing.
11. Hippie Movement
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The hippie movement was a distinguishing aspect of the 60s. Hippies lived together and adopted a vegetarian diet and holistic medicine. The youths in the movement developed their lifestyle and fashion after feeling alienated from the middle class.
12. Tie-Dye
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The colorful and psychedelic tie-dye patterns became synonymous with the hippie movement. The Boomers remember the fashion and might be excited as it’s coming back as a fashion trend and popular with most DIY enthusiasts.
13. 1960s TV Shows
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In these days of subscription TV and 24-hour movie streaming, most people reminisce about Classic TV shows. Ask anyone who grew up in the 60s what they miss, and you’ll hear shows like The Andy Griffith Show, Bewitched, and The Twilight Zone mentioned.
14. Saturday Morning Cartoons
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Children today can watch cartoons all day on every possible gadget in the house, but cartoons were mostly reserved for Saturday morning in the olden days. Those were the days to binge on cartoons like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo.
15. Woodstock Festival
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Imagine half a million people gathered on a dairy farm for a music festival. The Woodstock Festival is one of the hallmarks of the 60s. The legendary 1969 music festival became a symbol of the peace and love ethos of the ’60s.
16. Slinky Toy
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The slinky was invented by accident by an engineer and was a popular, simple, yet entertaining toy that could “walk” downstairs. This was one of the most favorite among kids in the ’60s (and beyond).
17. 1960s Cars
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The sleek and stylish cars of the era, including the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Volkswagen Beetle, are fondly remembered by the folks who owned them when they were new. They’re befittingly called classics today.
18. Twister Game
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Released in 1966, Twister became a popular party game that involved contorting your body to match colored circles on a mat.
19. Cereal Box Prizes
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Opening a box of cereal often meant finding a fun toy or prize inside, encouraging kids to finish their breakfast.
20. The Sound of Music
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Many movies of the ’60s were wonderful, but The Sound of Music is arguably among the best of them. Many will remember singing along to the musical and dancing around with “the problem that is” Maria.
What’s your favorite memory of the ’60s?